The purpose of this study is to see if a drug called lidocaine prevents cognitive injury (a decline in mental abilities) after heart surgery. Lidocaine is currently FDA approved and is commonly used for treating some heart rhythm disorders and for regional anesthesia (blocking nerves). The investigators are enrolling subjects in this research project to see if lidocaine will reduce the high incidence of cognitive injury seen after heart surgery. As part of this study, the investigators will also evaluate the relationship between cognitive injury and genetic makeup and the chemical changes in the subjects blood during and after surgery.

Score < 24 on a baseline Mini Mental State examination (MMSE) or greater than or equal to 27 on the baseline Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale -

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00938964